1
as in wreckage
the portion or bits of something left over or behind after it has been destroyed
found the wreck of the ship lying on the floor of the ocean
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
3
as in collision
the violent coming together of two bodies into destructive contact
a dangerous stretch of roadway that has been the scene of numerous car wrecks
Synonyms & Similar Words
1
2
as in to ruin
to bring to a complete end the physical soundness, existence, or usefulness of
most of the furniture on the ground floor was wrecked by the floodwaters
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of wreck
Noelann Bourgade, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
The Indigenous Māori people once believed the boulders were gourds that washed ashore from an ancient canoe wreck, but the science behind it is just as interesting as the legend.
—Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
Northern Nigeria is in the grip of a complex security crisis featuring both Islamic militants operating in the northeast and armed criminal gangs kidnapping people for ransom who have wrecked havoc in the northwest and north-central regions.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wreck
Noun
Its time as a surreal wreck floating in the heart of untamed nature came to an end.
—Noelann Bourgade, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
The Indigenous Māori people once believed the boulders were gourds that washed ashore from an ancient canoe wreck, but the science behind it is just as interesting as the legend.
—Madeline Bilis, Travel + Leisure, 8 Mar. 2026
Verb
But looking back on his career, Schwarzman advised young professionals against a work habit that completely wrecked his nervous system.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 2 Mar. 2026
Northern Nigeria is in the grip of a complex security crisis featuring both Islamic militants operating in the northeast and armed criminal gangs kidnapping people for ransom who have wrecked havoc in the northwest and north-central regions.
—ABC News, 1 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for wreck
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wreck
Noun
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When Sneaky Snook in his mail truck happened upon the wreckage near the boundary of Meredith Downs, sheep were scattered along the roadside and the fence, bleating, dazed.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
5 Mar. 2026
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The wreckage in the water had been flushed into the North Yuba River and stalled about a mile downstream at the mouth of Englebright Lake in mid-February after a ruptured pipe at New Colgate Powerhouse sent a deluge of water and hillside into the river.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
4 Mar. 2026
Noun
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At least, there was a lot less wrecking.—
Alex Zietlow,
Charlotte Observer,
13 Feb. 2026
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The Ravens haven’t really had that game-wrecking pass rusher since Terrell Suggs was in his prime.—
The Athletic NFL Staff,
New York Times,
9 Jan. 2026
Noun
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In June 2025, electronic interference with navigation systems was thought to be a factor in the collision between two oil tankers, Adalynn and Front Eagle, off the coast of the UAE, Bockmann and Faragher noted.—
Katie Hunt,
CNN Money,
6 Mar. 2026
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Even a single collision in orbit can become catastrophic; these satellites are moving at speeds many times faster than a rifle bullet, and a direct hit from one creates a cloud of shrapnel.—
Phil Plait,
Scientific American,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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The agreement follows years of uncertainty over the papers' future and scuttles a rival bid by the owner of the Daily Mail to buy the Telegraph titles.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
6 Mar. 2026
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And straddling it were the Mexicans and the gringos, like two children, eyes shut, their backs to each other, while the Apaches scuttled back and forth between their legs, not sure where to go with strangers bubbling up everywhere, filling their lands.—
Carolina A. Miranda,
The Atlantic,
5 Mar. 2026
Verb
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People suffer and the country becomes ruined.—
Marc Weingarten,
Los Angeles Times,
7 Mar. 2026
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Anti-Chafe Stick With sweaty bodies and lots of walking often comes chafing, something that can ruin a day in a theme park faster than a thunderstorm.—
Terri Peters,
Parents,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Suggestions for this zone are to remove combustible items and vegetation; screen vents and fill gaps in or totally enclose eaves; and clear debris from a home’s roof, gutters and deck.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
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In both cases, the damage seems to have stemmed from attacks on nearby ports or from falling debris from drone interceptions.—
Michael Christopher Low,
The Conversation,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
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There have been at least 10 people killed in crashes within city limits so far in 2026.—
Madison Smalstig,
Sacbee.com,
12 Mar. 2026
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The baby, who was not restrained, was thrown from Lopez’ vehicle in the crash, causing serious injury, police said.—
Lillie Davidson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
11 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Your host, Miranda, offers a back story to the project that involves her family of scientists being shipwrecked on an island off South America upon which many of the dinosaurs somehow survived to the present day.—
Rob Hubbard,
Twin Cities,
7 Mar. 2026
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Get shipwrecked on a Robinson Crusoe beach with a picnic of yellowfin ceviche?—
Tristan Rutherford,
Robb Report,
26 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Wreck.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wreck. Accessed 13 Mar. 2026.
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